Kiebitz rescue in BW: 4 million for biodiversity in Sauldorf!

Kiebitz rescue in BW: 4 million for biodiversity in Sauldorf!

Sauldorf, Deutschland - On June 6, 2025, the Environment Minister of Baden-Württemberg, Thekla Walker, visited the official start of project of the NABU project "Kiebitzland-here the biodiversity" grows in Sauldorf. As part of the newly founded species protection offensive, the project is funded with around four million euros to protect the skull threatened with extinction. The dramatic decline in the lapwing population in Baden-Württemberg is alarming, because since 1992 the population has dropped by about 92 percent.

The species protection offensive, which was launched in 2023, represents an extensive initiative that is supposed to protect endangered species in Baden-Württemberg. It includes several programs, including the ART aid program, the field bird protection program and the amphibian protection program to quickly improve living conditions for endangered species.

protection for the Kiebitz

The “Kiebitzland” project has set itself the goal of creating a total of twelve Kiebitz core areas as safe retreat by 2028. Through intensive agriculture, the use of pesticides, extreme weather conditions and human disorders, the habitat for the lapwing has shrunk considerably. The lapwing stock in Baden-Württemberg fell to only 300 to 400 breeding pairs by 2016, which illustrates the urgency of the measures.

The team around NABU project manager Dr. Lars Stoltze focuses on identifying suitable areas on arable and grassland. Farmers who are ready to use their areas for the lapwing receive compensation for lost income. A partnership -based agriculture sought to secure and promote habitats for the Kiebitz in the long term.

implementation of the measures

One of the specific measures is to create safe breeding conditions for the lapwing. For this purpose, “Kiebitz Islands” are set up with fences and nest baskets to protect the breeding birds. Flat pool and open floor places are created to improve the food conditions. Electric fences are said to help in the project area to protect the brooding lapwings and their clutch from natural predators such as foxes.

In addition, cattle pasture is practiced in the Kiebitz district areas. This measure is intended to create open areas that are necessary for the food search for the Kiebitzen. The project also relies on volunteers who support fences and lapwing monitoring. The volunteers are essential partners to stabilize the reproduction and stocks of the lapwings.

The first four core areas in Ammerbuch, Dunningen, Sauldorf and Bad Dürrheim should be completely ready by spring 2025. In the long term, integration of the project into the country's agricultural support system has been sought to ensure sustainable development.

Overall, the “Kiebitzland” project is an important step in the efforts to ensure species and nature conservation in Baden-Württemberg. It shows how through cooperation between nature conservation organizations, farmers and volunteers the living conditions for endangered species can be improved sustainably.

For more information about the NABU project "Kiebitzland" and the associated measures, visit Baden-wuerttemberg.nabu.de .